Papa John’s has announced a significant addition to its executive leadership team with the appointment of Kevin Vasconi as Chief Digital and Technology Officer, effective Monday. This strategic Papa John’s hire signals a strong commitment to enhancing its digital capabilities and leveraging technology to drive growth. The announcement, detailed in a recent press release, highlights Vasconi’s impressive track record and the company’s focus on strengthening its technology infrastructure.
Vasconi joins Papa John’s from Wendy’s, where he served as Chief Information Officer under Todd Penegor. Penegor himself recently transitioned to Papa John’s as CEO last month, suggesting a clear strategy to bring proven leadership and expertise to the pizza chain. During his tenure at Wendy’s, Vasconi was instrumental in spearheading a digital transformation that reportedly tripled the company’s e-commerce business within three years. His approach was described as consumer-centric, emphasizing the use of technology to foster customer loyalty and improve the overall customer experience. This background makes him a valuable Papa John’s hire as the company aims to enhance its own digital presence and customer engagement strategies.
In his new role at Papa John’s, Vasconi will have broad oversight of technology across various aspects of the business. This includes consumer-facing technologies that directly impact customer ordering and interaction, corporate systems, and back-of-house technologies that streamline operations. His responsibilities extend to critical areas such as information security, data analytics, and engineering, all of which are essential for a modern, data-driven restaurant chain. A key focus for Vasconi will be to develop “scalable, cost-effective technology capabilities for the franchise system,” indicating an emphasis on providing technological solutions that benefit both corporate operations and franchise partners. As Papa John’s continues to focus on improving its value perception, particularly through limited-time offers and value deals, Vasconi’s expertise will be crucial in leveraging the Papa Rewards loyalty program and other digital tools to effectively communicate and deliver value to customers.
Todd Penegor expressed strong confidence in Vasconi, drawing from their successful collaboration at Wendy’s. “I experienced first-hand his ability to lead technology innovation that delivered significant impact for our customers, team members and franchisees,” Penegor stated in the press release. This prior working relationship suggests a seamless integration and a shared vision for leveraging technology to drive Papa John’s forward.
Alongside Vasconi’s appointment, Papa John’s also announced expanded responsibilities for other key executives. Ravi Thanawala, the current CFO, will now also serve as Executive Vice President for International, taking on leadership for Papa John’s business outside of the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, Chief Restaurant Officer Joe Sieve will now oversee global development, further streamlining the company’s international expansion efforts and corporate and franchise restaurant operations.
The hiring of Kevin Vasconi as Chief Digital and Technology Officer represents a strategic Papa John’s hire aimed at accelerating its digital transformation and enhancing its competitive edge in the restaurant industry. His proven experience and leadership in technology innovation, coupled with the expanded roles for other executives, signal a comprehensive approach to growth and efficiency at Papa John’s under the leadership of CEO Todd Penegor.
